JD-U slams RSS leader’s remark on abolishing caste-based quota

Patna: The ruling JD-U in Bihar on Monday criticised RSS ideologue M.G. Vaidya’s statement that caste-based reservation in government jobs and educational institutions should be abolished as caste was “no more relevant”.

The Janata Dal-United will oppose the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s plan to abolish caste-based quota, party general secretary K.C. Tayagi told the media.

“The JD-U will oppose any move to touch or amend anything on caste-based reservation as this right was given to poor and marginalised people by the constitution,” he said.

Tayagi said Vaidya’s statement was part of the Sangh’s conspiracy to play with social justice.

“We know that the RSS, an extra-constitutional authority in the country, is dictating the decision-making of the BJP-led government at the centre. It is the RSS which decides the policies of the Narendra Modi government,” he said.

He said it was “unfortunate but true” that some of the BJP’s allies, including the LJP of union minister Ram Vilas Paswan, the RLSP of union minister Upendra Kushwaha, and the HAM of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, have been supporting caste-based reservation.

“Now Paswan, Kushwaha and Manjhi have to follow the RSS dictate. It is an example of a rare opportunistic politics,” he said.